Max Gawn at the 2019 All-Australian Awards. Picture: AFL Photos

The AFL wishes to advise the All Australian selection panel has confirmed the 40-person squad that is in contention for selection for the 2020 AFL All Australian Team.

Under the format introduced in 2007, the All Australian selectors were not asked to nominate the leading players in each section of the field – forwards, defenders and midfielders / ruckmen – but simply to name the best players of the season.
 
However, the final team of 22, to be named later this week on Thursday September 24 as part of the AFL Awards, is selected as if to play a match.
 
The Geelong Cats and Port Adelaide (five) lead the competition with the most representatives in this year’s squad, with 15 different clubs having at least one player nominated from their list.
 
A total of 24 players were nominated for a potential first-ever All Australian selection while 10 players from last year's best team were again nominated as potential selections this year – Harris Andrews, Marcus Bontempelli, Patrick Dangerfield, Nat Fyfe, Max Gawn, Dylan Grimes, Tom Hawkins, Jack Macrae, Lachie Neale, Scott Pendlebury.
 
Geelong Cats’ Patrick Dangerfield could receive his eighth separate All Australian blazer later this week and become only the sixth person to achieve this mark.

For players who did not play in the carnival era, eight separate years chosen for All Australian honours has only been achieved by five players - Gary Ablett senior (1984, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995), Gary Ablett junior (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014), Lance Franklin (2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018), Robert Harvey (1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003) and Mark Ricciuto (1994, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005).
 
Separately, there are a further eight players from the yearly carnival era, where it was possible to receive both a mid-year and end-of-season All Australian selection, who have eight or more All Australian blazers to their names – Craig Bradley (10), Terry Daniher (eight), Gerard Healy (eight), Stephen Kernahan (10), Simon Madden (nine), John Platten (10), Paul Roos (nine) and Greg Williams (eight), while Gary Ablett senior has a carnival nomination as well to take him up to nine overall.
 
Collingwood’s Scott Pendlebury is in line for his seventh selection as an All Australian while Fremantle’s Nat Fyfe, Melbourne’ Max Gawn and Richmond’s Dustin Martin are all in line to receive their fourth selections as All Australians respectively.
 
The All Australian selection panel is Gillon McLachlan (chairman), Kevin Bartlett, Luke Darcy, Steve Hocking, Glen Jakovich, Chris Johnson, Cameron Ling, Matthew Richardson and Warren Tredrea, while the All Australian selectors, along with Kevin Sheehan, also choose the winner of the NAB AFL Rising Star Award.
 
The squad members named are in order of club representation is as follows:

Harris Andrews, Brisbane Lions
2019 All Australian.
14 games in 2020.
149 disposals. 97 kicks, 60 marks, 52 handballs averaging 10.6 disposals, 6.9 kicks, 4.3 marks, 3.7 handballs. 8 Inside 50m, 34 rebound 50m. 16 tackles. 83.5 Kick Efficiency. 127 spoils.
 
Hugh McCluggage, Brisbane Lions
Never previously All Australian. 
Nominated for squad member 2019.
17 games in 2020.
318 disposals. 196 kicks, 62 marks, 122 handballs averaging 18.7 disposals, 11.5 kicks, 3.6 marks, 7.2 handballs. 58 Inside 50m, 27 rebound 50m. 46 tackles.
 
Lachie Neale, Brisbane Lions
2019 All Australian.
Nominated for squad member also in 2015, 2016, 2018. 
17 games in 2020.
468 disposals (First in the AFL in total disposals). 231 kicks, 74 marks, 237 handballs averaging 27.5 disposals, 13.6 kicks, 4.4 marks, 13.9 handballs. 73 Inside 50m, 25 rebound 50m. 53 tackles. 90 clearances.
 
Jacob Weitering, Carlton
Never previously All Australian.
17 games in 2020.
188 disposals. 146 kicks, 74 marks, 42 handballs averaging 11.1 disposals, 8.6 kicks, 4.4 marks, 2.5 handballs. 18 Inside 50m, 63 rebound 50m. 17 tackles. 87 contested possessions. 113 spoils.
 
Taylor Adams, Collingwood
Never previously All Australian.
17 games in 2020.
389 disposals. 220 kicks, 62 marks, 169 handballs averaging 22.9 disposals, 12.9 kicks, 3.6 marks, 9.9 handballs. 56 Inside 50m. 90 tackles. 93 clearances.
 
Brayden Maynard, Collingwood
Never previously All Australian. 
17 games in 2020.
326 disposals. 239 kicks, 72 marks, 87 handballs averaging 19.2 disposals, 14.1 kicks, 4.2 marks, 5.1 handballs. 69 clearances. 35 Inside 50m, 67 rebound 50m. 46 tackles. 184 effective kicks. 32 spoils.
 
Darcy Moore, Collingwood
Never previously All Australian.
16 games in 2020.
215 disposals. 130 kicks, 79 marks, 85 handballs averaging 13.4 disposals, 8.1 kicks, 4.9 marks, 5.3 handballs. 19 Inside 50m, 57 rebound 50m. 13 tackles. 73 contested possessions. 104 spoils.
 
Scott Pendlebury, Collingwood
2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2019 All Australian.
Nominated for squad member also in 2009, 2015, 2016, 2018.
13 games in 2020.
323 disposals. 159 kicks, 38 marks, 164 handballs averaging 24.8 disposals, 12.2 kicks, 2.9 marks, 12.6 handballs. 56 Inside 50m. 42 tackles. 59 clearances. 225 effective disposals.
  
Jordan Ridley, Essendon
Never previously All Australian.
17 games in 2020.
304 disposals. 211 kicks, 110 marks, 93 handballs averaging 17.9 disposals, 12.4 kicks, 6.5 marks, 5.5 handballs. 180 effective kicks. 71 rebound 50m. 20 tackles. 89 intercept possessions. 83 spoils.
 
Nat Fyfe, Fremantle
2014, 2015, 2019 (captain) All Australian. 
Nominated for squad member also in 2011, 2013. 
14 games in 2020.
300 disposals. 130 kicks, 43 marks, 170 handballs averaging 21.4 disposals, 9.3 kicks, 3.1 marks, 12.1 handballs. 32 Inside 50m. 42 tackles. 64 clearances. 175 contested possessions. 10 goals.
 
Luke Ryan, Fremantle
Never previously All Australian.
17 games in 2020.
316 disposals. 251 kicks, 88 marks, 65 handballs averaging 18.6 disposals, 14.8 kicks, 5.2 marks, 3.8 handballs. 113 rebound 50m. 20 tackles. 209 effective kicks. 64 spoils.
 
Matt Taberner, Fremantle
Never previously All Australian.
16 games in 2020.
166 disposals. 129 kicks, 92 marks, 37 handballs averaging 10.4 disposals, 8.1 kicks, 5.8 marks, 2.3 handballs. 29 inside 50m. 29 goals. 13 behinds. 61 score involvements.

 
Mark Blicavs, Geelong Cats
Never previously All Australian.
Nominated for squad member 2018, 2019.
17 games in 2020.
217 disposals. 110 kicks, 59 marks, 107 handballs averaging 12.8 disposals, 6.5 kicks, 3.5 marks, 6.3 handballs. 138 hitouts. 44 tackles. 125 contested possessions.53 score involvements.
 
Patrick Dangerfield, Geelong Cats
2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 (vice-captain), 2019 All Australian. 
17 games in 2020.
366 disposals. 232 kicks, 66 marks, 134 handballs averaging 21.5 disposals, 13.6 kicks, 3.9 marks, 7.9 handballs. 79 clearances. 198 contested possessions. 85 inside 50m. 11 goals. 16 behinds. 99 score involvements.

 
Cam Guthrie, Geelong Cats
Never previously All Australian. 
17 games in 2020.
374 disposals. 188 kicks, 79 marks, 186 handballs averaging 22 disposals, 11.1 kicks, 4.6 marks, 10.9 handballs. 68 tackles. 66 clearances. 42 inside 50m. 132 effective kicks. 70 score involvements.
 
Tom Hawkins, Geelong Cats
2012, 2019 All Australian.
Nominated for squad member also in 2014, 2018.
17 games in 2020.
207 disposals. 142 kicks, 90 marks, 65 handballs averaging 12.2 disposals, 8.4 kicks, 5.3 marks, 3.8 handballs. 27 tackles. 25 inside 50m. 42 goals. 25 behinds. 119 score involvements.
 
Sam Menegola, Geelong Cats
Never previously All Australian. 
17 games in 2020.
372 disposals. 211 kicks, 97 marks, 161 handballs averaging 21.9 disposals, 12.4 kicks, 5.7 marks, 9.5 handballs. 47 clearances. 53 inside 50m. 33 rebound 50m. 13 goals. Three behinds. 79 score involvements.
  
Nick Haynes, GWS GIANTS
Never previously All Australian. Nominated for squad member 2019.
17 games in 2020.
272 disposals. 208 kicks, 121 marks, 64 handballs averaging 16 disposals, 12.2 kicks, 7.1 marks, 3.8 handballs. 76 spoils. 116 intercept possessions.
 
Jack Gunston, Hawthorn
2018 All Australian.
Nominated for squad member 2014, 2015, 2016.
16 games in 2020.
181 disposals. 133 kicks, 68 marks, 48 handballs averaging 11.3 disposals, 8.3 kicks, 4.3 marks, 3 handballs. 31 inside 50m. 23 tackles. 31 goals. 21 behinds. 87 score involvements.
 
Max Gawn, Melbourne
2016, 2018, 2019 All Australian.
14 games in 2020.
222 disposals. 142 kicks, 63 marks, 80 handballs averaging 15.9 disposals, 10.1 kicks, 4.5 marks, 5.7 handballs. 458 hitouts. 48 clearances. 35 tackles. 52 spoils. 53 score involvements.
 
Clayton Oliver, Melbourne
2018 All Australian.
17 games in 2020.
425 disposals. 195 kicks, 57 marks, 230 handballs averaging 25 disposals, 11.5 kicks, 3.4 marks, 13.5 handballs. 110 clearances. 92 tackles. 227 contested possessions. 64 inside 50m. 64 score involvements.
 
Christian Petracca, Melbourne
Never previously All Australian.
17 games in 2020.
400 disposals. 201 kicks, 58 marks, 199 handballs averaging 23.5 disposals, 11.8 kicks, 3.4 marks, 11.7 handballs. 65 clearances. 55 tackles. 216 contested possessions. 69 inside 50m. 15 goals. 14 behinds. 108 score involvements.
 
Travis Boak, Port Adelaide
2013, 2014 All Australian.
Nominated also for squad member in 2019.
17 games in 2020.
394 disposals. 193 kicks, 47 marks, 201 handballs averaging 23.2 disposals, 11.4 kicks, 2.8 marks, 11.8 handballs. 88 clearances. 63 tackles. 170 contested possessions. 70 inside 50m. Eight goals. Seven behinds. 92 score involvements.
 
Zak Butters, Port Adelaide
Never previously All Australian.
15 games in 2020.
225 disposals. 118 kicks, 52 marks, 107 handballs averaging 15 disposals, 7.9 kicks, 3.5 marks, 7.1 handballs. 21 clearances. 39 tackles. 100 contested possessions. 33 inside 50m. 11 goals. Five behinds. 79 score involvements.
 
Darcy Byrne-Jones, Port Adelaide
Never previously All Australian.
17 games in 2020.
295 disposals. 183 kicks, 60 marks, 112 handballs averaging 17.4 disposals, 10.8 kicks, 3.5 marks, 6.6 handballs. 38 clearances. 116 contested possessions. 92 intercept possessions.
 
Charlie Dixon, Port Adelaide
Never previously All Australian.
155 disposals. 100 kicks, 65 marks (43 contested marks), 55 handballs averaging 9.7 disposals, 6.3 kicks, 4.1 marks, 3.4 handballs. 24 tackles. 114 contested possessions. 32 goals. 21 behinds. 88 score involvements.
 
Tom Jonas, Port Adelaide
Never previously All Australian.
Nominated for squad member in 2017, 2018.
17 games in 2020.
178 disposals. 118 kicks, 69 marks, 60 handballs averaging 10.5 disposals, 6.9 kicks, 4.1 marks, 3.5 handballs. 25 tackles. 71 contested possessions. 103 spoils.
  
Dylan Grimes, Richmond
2019 All Australian.
Nominated also for squad member in 2018.
16 games in 2020.
174 disposals. 111 kicks, 70 marks, 63 handballs averaging 10.9 disposals, 6.9 kicks, 4.4 marks, 3.9 handballs. 25 tackles. 55 contested possessions. 69 spoils.
 
Dustin Martin, Richmond
2016, 2017, 2018 All Australian.
Nominated also for squad member in 2014, 2015, 2019.
16 games in 2020.
328 disposals. 192 kicks, 46 marks, 136 handballs averaging 20.5 disposals, 12 kicks, 2.9 marks, 8.5 handballs. 58 clearances. 39 tackles. 159 contested possessions. 81 inside 50m. 15 goals. 11 behinds. 88 score involvements.
 
Nick Vlastuin, Richmond
Never previously All Australian.
16 games in 2020.
231 disposals. 153 kicks, 91 marks, 78 handballs averaging 14.4 disposals, 9.6 kicks, 5.7 marks, 4.9 handballs. 32 tackles. 116 intercept possessions. 62 rebound 50m. 38 spoils.
 
Dan Butler, St Kilda
Never previously All Australian.
17 games in 2020.
185 disposals. 143 kicks, 34 marks, 42 handballs averaging 10.9 disposals, 8.4 kicks, 2 marks, 2.5 handballs. 66 tackles. 48 inside 50m. 27 goals. 11 behinds. 72 score involvements.
 
Jack Steele, St Kilda
Never previously All Australian.
17 games in 2020.
376 disposals. 186 kicks, 64 marks, 190 handballs averaging 22.1 disposals, 10.9 kicks, 3.8 marks, 11.2 handballs. 90 clearances. 94 tackles. 189 contested possessions. 57 inside 50m. 10 goals. Two behinds. 87 score involvements.
 
Tom Papley, Sydney Swans
Never previously All Australian.
17 games in 2020.
200 disposals. 148 kicks, 57 marks, 52 handballs averaging 11.8 disposals, 8.7 kicks, 3.4 marks, 3.1 handballs. 29 tackles. 47 inside 50m. 26 goals. 27 behinds. 87 score involvements.
  
Andrew Gaff, West Coast Eagles
2015, 2018 All Australian.
Nominated also for squad member in 2016, 2019.
17 games in 2020.
413 disposals. 240 kicks, 75 marks, 173 handballs averaging 24.3 disposals, 14.1 kicks, 4.4 marks, 10.2 handballs. 39 clearances. 40 tackles. 123 contested possessions. 54 inside 50m. Five goals. Four behinds. 60 score involvements.
 
Nic Naitanui, West Coast Eagles
2012 All Australian.
Nominated also for squad member in 2015.
16 games in 2020.
176 disposals. 99 kicks, 11 marks, 77 handballs averaging 11 disposals, 6.2 kicks, 0.7 marks, 4.8 handballs. 471 hitouts (138 to advantage). 89 clearances. 37 tackles. 150 contested possessions. 56 inside 50m. Five goals. Three behinds. 54 score involvements.
 
Liam Ryan, West Coast Eagles
Never previously All Australian.
17 games in 2020.
178 disposals. 133 kicks, 60 marks, 45 handballs averaging 10.5 disposals, 7.8 kicks, 3.5 marks, 2.6 handballs. 31 tackles. 82 contested possessions. 36 inside 50m. 25 goals. 16 behinds. 95 score involvements.
 
Brad Sheppard, West Coast Eagles
Never previously All Australian. Nominated for squad member in 2019.
17 games in 2020.
275 disposals. 185 kicks, 107 marks, 90 handballs averaging 16.2 disposals, 10.9 kicks, 6.3 marks, 5.3 handballs. 34 tackles. 63 spoils. Two goals.
  
Marcus Bontempelli, Western Bulldogs
2016, 2019 All Australian.
17 games in 2020.
355 disposals. 197 kicks, 56 marks, 158 handballs averaging 20.9 disposals, 11.6 kicks, 3.3 marks, 9.3 handballs. 89 clearances. 82 tackles. 171 contested possessions. 71 inside 50m. 11 goals. six behinds. 86 score involvements.
 
Caleb Daniel, Western Bulldogs
Never previously All Australian. 
17 games in 2020.
337 disposals. 211 kicks, 57 marks, 126 handballs averaging 19.8 disposals, 12.4 kicks, 3.4 marks, 7.4 handballs. 19 clearances. 39 tackles. 98 contested possessions. 65 rebound 50m. 165 effective kicks. Two goals. Two behinds. 61 score involvements.
 
Jack Macrae, Western Bulldogs
2019 All Australian.
Nominated also for squad member in 2018.
17 games in 2020.
455 disposals. 193 kicks, 45 marks, 262 handballs averaging 26.8 disposals, 11.4 kicks, 2.6 marks, 15.4 handballs. 71 clearances. 68 tackles. 178 contested possessions. 73 inside 50m. Three goals. Three behinds. 90 score involvements.